Men UConn @ San Diego State Aztecs (Thursday 3/16/23 @9p, Friday 3/17/23 @9p, Saturday 3/18/23 @9p & Sunday 3/19/23 @4p) All times EST. Games on Mixlr

[ATLDYKA]

We are DP snake bitten.

 

[uconnbaseball]

…and as soon as I praise Cooke’s control, he walks someone on 4 pitches and hits someone. Sigh.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 3rd, after the leadoff homer, Cooke issues a 1 out walk and a hit by pitch to put 2 runners on base before getting out of the inning with no more runs coming in. Nice play by Padilla to end the inning. Game tied at 2.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Padilla is a monster. News at 11.

(Also nice rebound again by Cooke, shaking off these solo bombs)

 

[dbmill]

Top 4th, Morton with a 2 out double. Pitching change, a lefty pitcher comes in. Garbowski walks to put 2 runners on in this potential 2 out rally. Daniels follows with an rbi double, 3-2 UConn going to the bottom of the inning.

 

[uconnbaseball]

SDSU is into their pen already. It could be a long weekend for them if our pitching gets it done.

Loving Daniels. Smith needs to get out of his slump.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 4th, Cooke with a shutdown 1-2-3 inning, 3-2 UConn. Cooke is at 56 pitches on the night.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Happy with how we’re playing so far. Cooke is pitching to contact vs a soft hitting team, and the offense is putting the ball in play (vs good pitching) against a bad defense. SDSU is overachieving in the field and at the plate based on how their season has gone, and is still losing.

A crooked number here would really put pressure on them; this game, and this series.

 

[uconnbaseball]

There are the errors! 4-2 UConn!

 

[dbmill]

Top 5th, with 2 outs, 2 infield errors lead to a UConn run, 4-2 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Cooke is up to 94 on the fastball.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 5th, Cooke with a 1-2-3 inning, 4-2 UConn. Cooke had 2 strikeouts that inning, he has 5 strikeouts for the night so far. Cooke is at 69 pitches, so he may be good for a couple more innings. Cooke seems to be getting better as the game progresses.

 

[dbmill]

Top 6th, UConn offense goes down in order, 4-2 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Apparently UConn had home and homes with Boise State and Nevada, but were cancelled. Boise cancelled their program and Nevada backed out due to the MWC adding games.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 6th, Cooke with another 1-2-3 inning. 4-2 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Cooke starting to pitch like an ace. He had retired 11 straight as UConn maintains its 4-2 lead going to the 7th.

 

[Fantana]

Cooke starting to pitch like an ace. He had retired 11 straight as UConn maintains its 4-2 lead going to the 7th.

You wanted 2 runs over 6. Not always the prettiest with Cooke and there were times in last hour where I had my doubts but damn kid grinded.

 

[uconnbaseball]

First two runners in the top of the 7th reach. Let’s get some amenities Mr. Rhino.

 

[uconnbaseball]

You wanted 2 runs over 6. Not always the prettiest with Cooke and there were times in last hour where I had my doubts but damn kid grinded.

I liked the strategy. SDSU has no power; I would rather take my chance and force them to hit some random solo shot than nibble and walk people. Hopefully he has one more good inning in him.

 

[dbmill]

Top 7th, UConn loads the bases with no out, an infield single sandwiched in between a walk and a hit by pitch. Pitching change. Studley follows with a no out rbi double to make it 6-2 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Studley hits a big time 2 RBI double! 6-2!

 

[dbmill]

Top 7th, Broadhurst with a no out rbi single, another run scores on a throwing error, 8-2 UConn. Broadhurst ends up at 3B.

 

[uconnbaseball]

I am really REALLY enjoying our defense right now. SDSU is very much following up the brutal matador defense that FAU, Hawaii, and Ohio State also employed against us. Of course, it’s easier to force errors when you put the ball in play…which we are starting to do.

 

[dbmill]

I am really REALLY enjoying our defense right now. SDSU is very much following up the brutal matador defense that FAU, Hawaii, and Ohio State also employed against us. Of course, it’s easier to force errors when you put the ball in play…which we are starting to do.

I would say the defensive play of UConn in the field has been one of the big strengths of this team so far this season. They really don't end up throwing the ball all over the place.

 

[uconnbaseball]

A little disappointed we couldn’t get a 9th run across, but sufficient damage has been done. Throw strikes and play good defense from here on out.

8-2 going to the 7th

 

[dbmill]

A little disappointed we couldn’t get a 9th run across, but sufficient damage has been done. Throw strikes and play good defense from here on out.

8-2 going to the 7th

Thinking the bottom of the 7th will be Cooke's last inning on the mound.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Cooke gets 2 outs, and allows 2 runners to reach. Bullpen time - get out of here unscathed and SDSU would be nearly dead.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 7th, Cooke gets the first 2 hitters out, then gives up a walk and an infield single. Cooke comes out of the game, Devin Kirby takes the mound. 8-2 UConn. Probably Cooke's best outing of the season.

Kirby gets a strikeout to end the inning. 8-2 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Kirby!!! Nice work.

 

[dbmill]

Based on Cooke's performance tonight, I expect he will get the Friday night start against Rutgers next weekend. However, we'll see how the rest of the UConn starting pitchers do this weekend.